Personal Statement - Graduate Program/Social Work

Since I was a child my passion was in education. If anyone asked me “what do you want to be when you grow up?” my response was always the same “a teacher.” I always had a strong sense of compassion and a strong desire to help people. I consider myself to be very well-rounded, sensitive and a good listener, I am happiest when I am working to help others. When I first started my path towards my bachelor’s degree in education, I knew I was well on my way to becoming a teacher, I was excited to know that my dream was finally coming true. Then one day during my last year at Montclair State University I took a class with Dr. Reid “Field Experience Family/Child Services” that focused on different social issues that affect society. When I heard Dr. Reid discuss various research projects that had been conducted on how children from low socioeconomic households and communities develop academic skills more slowly compared to children from higher socioeconomic groups, I knew that I wanted to affect change on a totally different level. During the course of that class we discussed how children’s academic skills are directly correlated with their home environment and under- resourced schools often located in lower economic communities. This was very apparent in the field work I did that semester at Straight and Narrow, Inc. located in Paterson New Jersey. This program helped families rebuild relationships after serving time in correctional facilities and/or rehabilitation programs. After that semester I was certain without a doubt that I was making the right decision of changing my major from teaching to social work. Although I have always been blessed in that I was raised by loving parents and have been surrounded by a healthy environment, I have always had and felt compassion for people who were not as fortunate as me. Whether the individual is a child, an elderly person, disabled or financially unstable person, I have always firmly believed that all